September 26, 2016

I'm not going to try to live-blog. I'm just going to watch straight through and see how the whole thing affects me — me, attempting to experience reality like a normal person, not a blogging machine. But please, do comment. Keep up the conversation. I'll join in eventually.

AND: On watching the debate straight through: That was intense. Those 2 faces on the split screen for 90 minutes was quite the ordeal. How many times did Trump lean into the microphone and say "wrong" while Clinton was speaking? There was plenty of interrupting from both candidates, and it almost turned into the event that Trump had proposed: No moderator. Not that Lester Holt didn't attempt to fact-check Trump a few times.

Trump brought a lot of stress to the event, and Clinton certainly stood up to him. She even managed to flash a smile a number of times — even though there was never a thing to smile about (and really no humor whatsoever). Clinton never coughed, and there was no flagging of energy. It was Trump who needed to drink water and wipe the sweat from his upper lip with his finger a few times. Clinton was a bit artificial, but she never got dead and robotic the way we've seen elsewhere.

Substantively, it's mostly a blur now. Trump seemed strong talking about law and order and, later, blaming Clinton for the rise of ISIS. Clinton got very severe accusing Trump of racism early on (over the issue of whether Barack Obama was born in the U.S.A.) and, at the end, sexism (letting fly with a prepared list of misogynistic things Trump supposedly did or said).

Overall, I'll just say that was very unpleasant and I'm glad it's over. I switched it off without stopping to listen to any of the spin.

I'm anti-Hillary (as opposed to pro-Trump). As a result, I am rooting for Trump, but Hillary seems more focused to me. I've never been able to stand to listen to Trump, and this evening is no exception.

"That's not the president's job. We can eliminate discrimination in the criminal justice system, but race as an issue is something that local communities need to work with each other. Even if the government COULD solve it, the way it would solve it would be a mask, not a solution."

DJT is missing out on the strongest charge against Hillary's disrespect for Obama. Her 2008 campaign justified its longevity into the spring/summer months by saying that he could be assassinated, as RFK was. It was despicable. Why did he not point THAT out? Stupid Donald. I think he's cracking a little. Or maybe was always just a plant to usher her in.

I stopped for awhile to think. Hillary is at her best and Lester Holt in Candy Crowleying so Trump is debating two people. But I think he is winning. People are on his side on the issues and he looks OK - not some kind of madman. He is getting in some hits, so is she. But he looks like a possible president. That's all he had to do.

He had a good moment in pointing out that he prefers endorsements from military leadership than from politicians. He needs to ask her how many wars she wants to start. This guy could get the peace vote. Hillary hates "her" party's progressive wing. RFK's speechwriter is apparently endorsing Trump on peace and stability grounds. If Trump really wants progressive votes, he needs to go after them much more aggressively. It wouldn't be a very credible play, but the opportunity is totally there.

Neither candidate is really doing what they needed to do tonight. A positive message about change is what would have won here tonight. I predict the trends aren't going to change on this debate. Both have a lot to learn for the next encounter.

Bill Clinton signed the revolutionary Line Item Veto Act of 1996. That was the single greatest bit of legislation ever passed by Congress and President Clinton became my hero for that one thing.There is no doubt that Clinton's legacy demonstrates no greater achievement.

Hillary's warmongering is her weakest point, I suspect - at least on policy grounds. If he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity to really hammer at that, as the MSM is finally starting to, then I doubt he will solidify any momentum at chipping away at her favorables.

Trump is a disaster tonight. Sweeping generalizations, no policy prescriptions, and very few if any specifics. His strong suits seem to flailing and bloviating. Hillary has him totally flummoxed. Did he prepare at all?

AprilAppple, I agree. Every time she mentioned "presidential" he should have had 12 comebacks at the ready. President of what--a banana republic? Presidential? Since when is extorting money for personal gain from Wall Street (American) Presidential? Ugh, I'm tired, her voice wears me out, but you get my drift.

With an open mind, this is actually interesting to watch. But Trump definitely comes across as much less knowledgeable and focused. TO some extent, that helps him. But he can't seem to be flailing on basic policy knowledge ground. She is definitely more confident in this - and has every reason to be.

His entire strategy against the 16 Republican clown car candidates is not working at all in this debate.

"Who knows?" (in response to his retelling of what he said. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Shut up, Donald. He's digging himself into a hole.

It doesn't look that way to me. Trump seems scatter-shot, she's put him on the defensive, and he's missed good chances to hit her on the Foundation. Questioning his charitable giving is rich, coming from a woman who donated her underwear to charity.

She's a slick liar, I'll give her that and she is much more composed than he is.

I can understand traditionally this is good for her. But isn't this an outsider election? Do we want another politician in the white house who is known solely as a politician? I mean, it's quite possible without the DNC rulemaking and shenanigans, Trump would be debated Bernie tonight.

No, I think he was just lousy because he didn't prepare enough and thought that what worked for him in the primaries would work for him here. He wants to win. But it's like his mind goes in 10 different directions at once, or fastens onto some trivial thing and beats it to death.

Actually I think Hillary is having a good night. Plenty of energy. She's animated and feisty. A lot of what she is saying is bullshit and vague and intellectually dishonest. I don't think that matters very much unfortunately.

Trump is not pressing his best line--where have you been for 30 years on all this--as effectively as he might.

Holt is doing a crap job. His dislike of and opposition to Trump is starting to seep through. But mostly he's failing to get them out of generalities.

I came into this thinking that the race was going to be mostly unchanged by the debate but really I thnk Trump's performance was bad enough (and HRC greatly over performed the low expectations that had been set because of her health) that he might have blown his recent momentum.

Technical note: The camera on Hillary is slightly zoomed in to make her look the same size as Donald. Her head is definitely smaller. You can confirm this by comparing the size of words on the backdrop. Use the word "Right" for comparision. I think it's between 5% and 7%.

I hate to say it but he lost. Nevermind that Holt was in the tank for Clinton but Trump missed so many opportunities to smash her despite Holt. He should have gone straight to the point that she is a criminal and a traitor and unfit for any office.

If you watched the R debates Trump's performance is not surprising, I doubt it hurts his chances very much. Clinton comes across as a typical politician, filled with empty political talk, it's not what a large slice of what the country wants right now.

I was amazed at the make-up. Boy, whoever did that was a master. I mean they both looked great under the hot lights. Neither one of them melted.

I'm wondering if they've gone to LED lights now for show business?

I did think Donald was slouching too much. His neck appeared buried (scrunched) in his collar. Mrs. Clinton didn't slouch. She had her feet apart and would have done well in a military parade rest on the 4th of July. Donald would have been one of those soldiers who always flop over like a cow when they faint in the heat.

Tim: I think that's what his warning was about. He came in to talk about messages, and I think he has been hesitating getting really nasty. That's why he went with Flowers, who had a consensual affair with Clinton, instead of one of the women who accused him of rape.

If she keeps going negative, he'll be more than happy to join in. I think, frankly, he prefers to fight that way any way.